The Lexus NX is a success story. Launched in 2014, it has already surpassed the million-unit mark globally and has become the Japanese brand's best-selling model in Europe.
Now is the time to pass on the testimony to the second generation of the SUV, which brings with it important news: from a new platform to an unprecedented plug-in hybrid engine, passing through new technological contents, highlighting the new infotainment system that includes a generous 14″ screen (standard on all NX in Portugal).
Get to know more in detail about the new Lexus NX, inside and out, in the company of Diogo Teixeira, who also gives us our first impressions of driving:
Lexus NX 450h+, the brand's first plug-in hybrid
The second generation of the Lexus NX is now based on the GA-K, the same platform that we find, for example, in the Toyota RAV4. Compared to the first generation, the new NX is slightly longer, wider and taller (about 20 mm in all directions) and the wheelbase has also been extended, by 30 mm (2.69 m in total).
Thus, it maintains one of the best-quoted interiors in the segment (it has as rivals models like the BMW X3 or Volvo XC60), as well as one of the widest luggage compartments, announcing 545 l that can be expanded to 1410 l with the seats folded down .
Lexus NX 450h+
As was the case with the first one, we will only have access to hybrid mechanics in our market, starting with 350h which has a 2.5 l inline four cylinder, atmospheric and which works according to the most efficient Atkinson cycle, and with an electric motor, for a combined maximum power of 179 kW (242 hp), an expressive increase of 34 kW (45 hp) in relation to its predecessor.
However, despite the increase in power and performance (7.7s from 0 to 100 km/h, 15% less), the Japanese hybrid SUV announces 10% lower consumption and CO2 emissions.
The highlight of this second generation is the plug-in hybrid variant, the first ever from Lexus and the one that Diogo can drive during the international presentation. In other words, unlike the 350h version, the 450h+ can be charged externally and allows for more than 60 km of electric autonomy (which increase to close to 100 km in urban driving), courtesy of the 18.1 kWh battery that it equips.
It also combines the 2.5 l combustion engine with an electric motor, but here the maximum combined power goes up to 227 kW (309 hp). Despite skimming the two tons, it has rapid performance, capable of doing the 0-100 km exercise in 6.3s and reaching 200 km/h (electronically limited).
more technology
The interior, characterized by excellent assembly and materials, clearly breaks with the design of its predecessor, highlighting the orientation of the dashboard towards the driver and the larger screens that make it up, which are part of it. The infotainment one, positioned in the middle, now hits 14″.
Infotainment is, by the way, one of the main new features of this new Lexus NX, and one of the most welcome. The new system is now much faster (3.6 times faster, according to Lexus) and has a new interface, simpler to use.
With more functions to be transferred to the infotainment system, the number of buttons was also reduced, although some remain for the most used functions, such as climate control.
The instrument panel also became fully digital, which can be assisted by a 10″ head-up display. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, now wireless, could not be missing, as well as a new induction charging platform that is 50% more powerful.
In the active safety chapter, it is also up to the new NX to debut its new Lexus Safety System + driving support system.
When arrives?
The new Lexus NX only arrives in Portugal at the beginning of next year, but the brand has already advanced with the price for the two engines:
- NX 350h — 69,000 euros;
- NX 450h+ — 68,500 euros.
The reason why the plug-in hybrid version (more powerful and faster) is more affordable than the conventional hybrid is due to our taxation, which is not as penalizing for plug-in hybrids.
However, the NX 450h+, like most plug-in hybrids, continues to make more sense for the business market than the private one and, of course, more sense makes the more often we charge it to make use of its electric mode.